Here is my weekly five frugal things round up. In truth, I usually do a lot more than five frugal things, but sometimes one of them is not spending any money at all. I haven’t had that issue this week! However, if I am spending, I want good value for money.
A Japanese treat
I have been totally impressed by the delicious sushi at Aldi recently. It is the type of thing I never buy because it is expensive. However, Aldi sell a fish, chicken or vegetable sushi selection and they are a bargain at only £1.69. I love it when I can be fancy without spending crazy amounts of money. I think it is really important to build in a few treats such as this to help stick to our budget. So, this is the first of this week’s five frugal things.
An open garden
We had to drive my parents down to Southend on Sea last weekend. Having been glorious the week before it was FREEZING. I mean, if snow had started falling I wouldn’t have been surprised. Usually, we drop them at their friends and have a walk along the pier and seafront, but we couldn’t face being blasted by icy winds.
Instead, we drove along the coast towards Shoeburyness. It was an unexpectedly pretty route but we didn’t want to waste petrol driving aimlessly around. Fortunately, we came across an open garden at a rather lovely place called South Shoebury Hall. It was a shame the weather was so dull – the garden was stunning and would have been even more lovely in the sunshine. It was £4 to get in with all proceeds going to various charities. Better than wasting our cash trying to keep warm in the amusement arcades in Southend.
Better still, they have the most fabulous selection of home made cakes with hot tea in the church hall next door. The day was looking up!
eBay sales
I have gone off the boil a bit selling stuff on eBay. It has been so quiet! Also, I object to the stealth charges on eBay these days. Every little extra costs you money. For example, if you auto relist items it costs you, if you do a buy it now price it costs you, whether you sell or not. Then they take their 10% and Paypal also takes a cut. It is no longer worth selling low price items at all, in my view.
Having said that, I have sold two items this morning, so that is the third of my five frugal things. Selling stuff I no longer need also helps reduce the clutter. I am choosing Facebook Marketplace as my preferred place to try first at the moment.
Buying online
I am still managing to find bargains on ebay, though. Today I purchased something really good but I can’t tell you what as it is a birthday present!
I also bought a new king size duvet set for only £20. Now that we have upgraded to a king size bed we have hardly any suitable bedding. I have bought nice quality sheets in Asda, but none of the designs of the covers appealed. This is when online shopping comes into its own. So much more choice!
Line drying
I am so happy that the sun is finally out here in Essex. Yesterday I line dried all the bedlinen and towels and they came in smelling lovely. Today I have another load out there. Perfect bank holiday weather!
We don’t have a tumble dryer and I don’t want one. They take up space and cost a lot to run. I use airers in the winter, one of which is heated. I also stick the dehumidifier on at times, which is cheaper to run than a dryer. However, nothing beats line drying!
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As ever, I am linking up with Cass , Emma and Becky in this week’s Five Frugal Things I have done this Week linky. Have a fab frugal bank holiday weekend!
Margaret Powling says
Lots of great frugal ideas again, Jane. Happening on a garden that is open is lovely, isn’t it? (But would’ve been even better in warmer weather!) An inexpensive way to spend an afternoon. Surely, you’d not spend money in an arcade? I think you were having us on there, girl!
Yes, lovely to get washing line-dried. I hang up smalls in the airing cupboard overnight, but I confess we do have a tumble dryer, but use it sparingly. I also hang up shirts and T-shirts on hangers and dry those in the airing cupboard overnight.
My small frugal efforts (last week, actually) were using some money off vouchers sent to me from Waitrose (they tailor them to their customers’ buying habits, so most of them were items I actually bought regularly. I wouldn’t buy items simply because they had money-off vouchers.)
Tree says
Got all my washing done during the week coz I’m working this weekend. Dried some of it in the tumble drier coz the weather was hideous. Now it’s perfect drying weather! I try to use the drier as little as possible but I’d rather not be without it! You are so right about the space it takes up, ours is in the DINING ROOM .
Tx
Eloise (thisissixty.blog) says
It’s been great together the washing on the line, hasn’t it? There’s something rather relaxing about the physical act of pegging it out, and of course it’s a good feeling to know that the drying is cost free. That said, I do have a dryer and would hate to be without it. I hate washing being around and I like how soft things are when tumble dried. There’s also the fact that if it’s taken out straight away, shaken and folded or hung, it’s often possible to get away without ironing which is a bonus. We have a hanging rail instead of shelves in the airing cupboard so I dry a lot in there too.
I agree with your ebay comments.
Sam says
Biggest win was second hand gray dress pants gor work at $4.99. Also date night was high school play, a $4.77 frozen pizza amd drink at home. Dinner and theater under $21.
Joleisa says
So many great frugal ideas. I love drying things out on the line. It picks me up and reminds me of living in Jamaica where clothes are only dried outdoors. I have yet to try buying or selling on eBay but I’ll remember your tip about selling cheap items there. I love learning from you pros. Thanks again.
cass bailey says
I couldn’t agree more about not having a tumble drier although my rotary drier has collapsed and given up on my so my option right now is to just pop my clothes airer out into the garden ha ha.
Thanks for joining in with us, hope to see you linking up again tomorrow. 😉 . #5frugalthings
Becky says
OOh you cannot beat line drying and oh the smell! #5frugalthings